Thin seat with plastic matrix and thin foam

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seating assembly includes a support frame partially enclosed by a panel assembly. A carrier is defined by a unitary polymeric matrix. A cushion assembly is molded over the carrier. An external peripheral gap is defined between the panel assembly and the carrier. The carrier and the cushion assembly are configured to flex under the weight of a passenger while the support frame remains stationary. An air movement assembly is in communication with the cushion assembly and is configured to move air through the carrier and the cushion assembly proximate a seating surface of the cushion assembly.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to a thin seat for a vehicle,and more particularly relates to a thin seat for use in a vehicle with aplastic matrix and thin foam.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Traditional vehicle seating has frequently included a seat frame thatsupports a matrix of springs that support a thick cushion thereon. Theseconstructions are generally very thick and heavy, which result indecreased interior space in a vehicle, as well as loss of fuelefficiency as a result of the added weight of the seating system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a support frame partially enclosed by a panelassembly. A carrier is defined by a unitary polymeric matrix. A cushionassembly is molded over the carrier. An external peripheral gap isdefined between the panel assembly and the carrier. The carrier and thecushion assembly are configured to flex under the weight of a passengerwhile the support frame remains stationary. An air movement assembly isin communication with the cushion assembly and is configured to move airthrough the carrier and the cushion assembly proximate a seating surfaceof the cushion assembly.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a frame assembly. A carrier includes a unitarypolymeric matrix. A cushion assembly is molded over a front portion ofthe carrier such that a rear portion of the carrier is exposed. Anexternal peripheral gap is defined between the carrier and the cushionassembly. An air movement assembly is in communication with the cushionassembly through the carrier and is configured to move air proximate asurface of the cushion assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method forconstructing a vehicle seating assembly includes partially enclosing arear portion of a support frame with a panel assembly. A carrier isprovided that is defined by a flexible polymeric matrix. A multitude ofperforations are formed through the carrier. A cushion assembly ismolded over the carrier.

An external peripheral gap is formed between the panel assembly and thecarrier. Air is moved through the carrier and the cushion assemblyproximate a seating surface of the cushion assembly.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicleseating assembly is provided that is constructed by partially enclosinga rear portion of a support frame with a panel assembly. A carrier isprovided that is defined by a flexible polymeric matrix. A multitude ofperforations are formed through the carrier and a cushion assembly ismolded over the carrier. An external peripheral gap is formed betweenthe panel assembly and the carrier and is moved through the carrier andthe cushion assembly proximate a seating surface of the cushionassembly. This method provides a fast and uniform approach toconstructing a vehicle seating assembly and minimizes the number ofparts needed to fabricate the same.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle seating assembly of thepresent disclosure disposed in a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top perspective view of the vehicle seatingassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective exploded view of one embodiment of thevehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective partial exploded view of a seat of thevehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective partial exploded view of a seatback of thevehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective partial exploded view of another seatbackof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume variousalternative orientations, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

With reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated vehicle seating assembly 10 isconfigured for use in a vehicle of any type, including, withoutlimitation, cars, vans, trucks, buses, etc. The vehicle seating assembly10 is suspended on rails that allow movement of the vehicle seatingassembly 10 in fore and aft directions. In addition, the vehicle seatingassembly 10 may include a variety of comfort controls, including, forexample, thigh support using independent thigh supports 30, lumbarsupport, and upper thoracic support. The vehicle seating assembly 10includes a head restraint 32 that is disposed on the upper seatback 14.The head restraint 32 is moveable between forward and rearward positionsto accommodate various sized heads of passengers, as well as differentheights of passengers. The vehicle seating assembly 10 also includescontrols specifically configured to adjust an upper thoracic portion 34of the upper seatback 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, the vehicle seating assembly 10 includes aseatback assembly 48 with a seatback suspension system 50 that iscoupled with a seatback carrier 51 and which is supported on a frame 52.The frame 52 of the seatback assembly 48 of the vehicle seating assembly10 includes a first side support 54 and a second side support 56 thatdefine the frame 52. The first and second side supports 54, 56 of theframe 52 pivotally couple with a rear portion of a seat 60 and extendupward from the seat 60 to a top portion of the seatback assembly 48 andconnect with an upper lateral brace 62. The upper lateral brace 62 ofthe seatback assembly 48 extends between the first and second sidesupports 54, 56. The head restraint 32 is operably coupled with theupper lateral brace 62 of the seatback assembly 48 and is substantiallycentered between the first and second side supports 54, 56. The upperlateral brace 62, as well as a lower lateral brace 64, of the seatbacksuspension system 50 are coupled with and span between the first andsecond side supports 54, 56, such that the seatback suspension system 50is positioned generally between the head restraint 32 and the seat 60 tosupport the back of a passenger. It is contemplated that the headrestraint 32 may be integrated with the top portion of the seatbackassembly 48 or that the head restraint 32 may otherwise not be includedon the vehicle seating assembly 10.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the first and second side supports 54, 56extend upward from a recliner heart bracket 66 having a recliner heart67 that pivotally couples the seatback assembly 48 with the seat 60. Thefirst and second side supports 54, 56 are substantially parallel witheach other and curve upward and rearward from the recliner heart bracket66 to provide a curved shape that complements the shape of the spinalcolumn of a passenger. Further, the first and second side supports 54,56 are thicker and more robust proximate the recliner heart bracket 66and taper as they extend upward to couple with the upper lateral brace62 that extends orthogonally between the first and second side supports54, 56. The upper lateral brace 62 of the frame 52 includes connectors68 for securing the head restraint 32 at a central portion of the upperlateral brace 62 centrally between the first and second side supports54, 56. The connectors 68 are defined by upward protruding tabsconfigured to couple with the head restraint 32.

With reference again to FIGS. 3-6, the lower seatback 12 of the seatbacksuspension system 50, as shown in FIG. 3, includes flex members 70extending from each of a first side connector 71 and a second sideconnector 73 of the seatback assembly 48. The first and second sideconnectors 71, 73 are operably coupled with and support side bolsters 69(FIG. 2). The lower seatback 12 is positioned adjacent to the seat 60and includes a lower comfort carrier 74 that generally includes a lowerthoracic region of the seatback assembly 48. The lower comfort carrier74 supports the lower back of a passenger. Similarly, the upper seatback14 of the seatback assembly 48 has an upper comfort carrier 75 thatgenerally includes an upper thoracic region of the seatback assembly 48.The upper comfort carrier 75 is operably coupled with a curved flexmember 76 operably coupled with the arcuate back support bar 18. Theflex member 76 of the upper lateral brace 62 is disposed above the firstand second side connectors 71, 73. The flex member 76 includes a recess77 in a top portion thereof configured to adequately space the flexmember 76 from the head restraint 32. The flex member 76 also includes aplurality of outwardly extending reinforcement flanges 81. The curvedflex member 76 includes connecting features in the form of studs 83 thatwork as snap-fit connecting arrangements to secure with externalperipheral apertures 85 of the upper comfort carrier 75 with the curvedflex member 76. In a similar fashion, each of the flex members 70includes connecting features in the form of studs 83 that couple withcomplimentary connecting features in the form of external peripheralapertures 85. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate back supportbar 18 is coupled with the flex member 76 via a friction-fit engagement.Other connecting arrangements are also contemplated. It is conceivablethat the lower and upper seatbacks 12, 14 may be integrated into asingle component or several components spanning the seatback assembly48. The flex members 70 of the lower seatback 12 extend forward andoutward from the seatback assembly 48, as does the curved flex member76, to create an external peripheral gap 87. Pivot pins 92 pivotallycouple with the first and second side connectors 71, 73, generally abovethe lower lateral brace 64.

The flex member 76 of the upper seatback 14 of the seatback suspensionsystem 50, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, generally defines a support basketthat supports the upper back of a passenger. The flex member 76 of theupper lateral brace 62 is coupled with the arcuate back support bar 18that laterally extends between the first and second side supports 54, 56of the frame 52. The arcuate back support bar 18 is pivotally coupledrelative to the pivot pins 92 to allow the flex member 76 to pivotforward and rearward about the pivot axis 16. Further, the arcuate backsupport bar 18 is operably coupled with a motor 94 via a linking member96 to adjustably rotate the arcuate back support bar 18. Consequently,the upper seatback 14 can be pivoted forward and rearward relative to aplurality of angled positions to the lower seatback 12 and the frame 52,as described in more detail below.

With reference again to FIGS. 3-6, the pivot pins 92 generally definethe pivot axis 16.

The upper seatback 14 includes a forward articulating portion that isoperably coupled to the lower seatback 12. More specifically, theforward articulating portion is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback12 at the pivot axis 16. The arcuate back support bar 18 is disposed inthe upper seatback 14 and configured to rotate the upper seatback 14between forward and rearward positions. The arcuate back support bar 18includes a generally U-shaped configuration. The first and secondgenerally linear members 20, 22 and the arcuate intermediate portion 24generally define a central open space 102 in the seatback assembly 48.An articulation assembly operably couples the forward articulatingportion of the upper seatback 14 with the seatback assembly 48 andallows for movement between the forward and rearward positions. Notably,the flex member 76 or support basket may be fastened to the arcuateintermediate portion 24 of the arcuate back support bar 18, or may beovermolded directly onto the arcuate intermediate portion 24. Thearcuate back support bar 18 is connected to brackets that extend forwardrelative to the first and second generally linear members 20, 22 of thearcuate back support bar 18. The arcuate back support bar 18 isconfigured to rotate about a forward portion of the brackets at thepivot pins 92. Consequently, the entire upper seatback 14 can be rotatedabout a forward portion of the brackets.

The seatback suspension system 50, as shown in FIG. 3, includes theframe 52, which may be constructed of metal or other rigid material, anda hard back panel 120 configured to substantially enclose a rear portionof the frame 52. The vehicle seating assembly 10 also includes a fronttrim panel 130. The front trim panel 130, together with the hard backpanel 120, generally define a shell that covers the frame 52 of theseatback assembly 48. The hard back panel 120 couples with the frame 52to substantially enclose a rear portion of the frame 52. Similarly, thefront trim panel 130 couples with a front portion of the frame 52 toenclose a top front portion of the frame 52. The front trim panel 130includes a mounting cutaway 133 for accommodating the head restraint 32,which extends therethrough to couple with the upper lateral brace 62 ofthe frame 52. The front trim panel 130 and the hard back panel 120 alsoengage the frame 52 proximate the upper lateral brace 62, the first sidesupport 54, and the second side support 56, substantially enclosing anedge portion of the frame 52. The front trim panel 130 and hard backpanel 120 are typically molded with a polymer material and the frame 52is constructed substantially of steel, aluminum, or anothersubstantially rigid metal. It is conceivable that alternative materialsor forming methods may be used for the shell and the frame 52. Inaddition, the shell, or portions thereof, may conceivably be integratedwith the frame 52.

Referring once again to FIG. 3, the upper seatback 14 and lower seatback12 of the seatback suspension system 50 are configured to operablycouple with a passenger cushion assembly 140. More specifically, theflex members 70, 76 on the lower seatback 12 and upper seatback 14,respectively, extend forward to engage and support the back of apassenger. The passenger cushion assembly 140 includes the seatbackcarrier 51 (which has both the lower comfort carrier 74 and the uppercomfort carrier 75), a cushion assembly 142, and a coverstock 144. Theseatback carrier 51 may be integrally molded with the cushion assembly142. The flex members 70, 76 operably couple to the lower comfortcarrier 74 and the upper comfort carrier 75 in a snap-fit andfriction-fit arrangement. The cushion assembly 142 is disposed betweenthe lower comfort carrier 74 and the upper comfort carrier 75 and thecoverstock 144 and between the lower comfort carrier 74 and thecoverstock 144. It is conceivable that the passenger cushion assembly140 may include more or fewer layers between the coverstock 144 and theupper comfort carrier 75. Further, it is conceivable that the passengercushion assembly 140 may be one integral piece with the flex members 70,76 of the seatback suspension system 50.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the vehicle seating assembly 10 includes aseat 200. The seatback assembly 48 is operably coupled to a rear of theseat 200. Each of the first and second independently moveable thighsupports 202, 204 include an outer shell 205 having a top side 206, abottom side 208, an exterior side 210, and an interior side 212. Thefirst and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 areoperably coupled with a seat base 213 at a rear of the seat 200. Thefirst and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 areslidably supported on a slide assembly 214. Each of the first and secondindependently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 are independentlylaterally translatable forward and rearward relative to the seat 200. Abutton assembly 220 operably secures the first and second independentlymoveable thigh supports 202, 204 at any of a multitude of lateralpositions. The button assembly 220 is disposed on the exterior side 210of each of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports202, 204 and held in place by a button housing 221. A spring assembly222 urges each thigh support 202, 204 to a fully forward lateralposition. A pivot member 224 operably couples each of the first andsecond independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 to the seat 200.Each of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports 202,204 are rotatable relative to the seat 200.

As previously noted, the vehicle seating assembly 10 is supported onrail slide assemblies 225 (FIG. 2) that include a rail 226 fixedlyattached to a floor of the vehicle and a slide 227 fixedly attached toan underside or bottom of the seat 200 of the vehicle seating assembly10. The rail 226 is slidably coupled with the slide 227, such that thevehicle seating assembly 10 can be moved between fore and aft positionsinside the vehicle.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seat 200 includes a carrier240 that is operably coupled with a seat base frame 242, and which isconfigured to support a seat cushion assembly 244 and a coverstock 246disposed thereon. A climate control system 243, which may include an airmovement assembly 245 is also provided, which can draw air from or blowair out of apertures 247 of the seat cushion assembly 244. Like theseatback, the seat cushion assembly 244 may be integrally molded withthe carrier 240 without the aid of fasteners or adhesive. The seatcushion assembly 244 includes a main cushion 248, seat side bolsters249, and forward thigh support cushions 251. The carrier 240 includes aperipheral carrier support 250 that interacts directly or indirectlywith the seat base frame 242 (FIG. 2). The seat base frame 242 isoperably coupled with the rail slide assemblies 225 referenced above.The first and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 areoperably coupled to a forward portion of the seat 200, and as notedabove, are configured to rotate upward and downward relative to the seat200 between raised and lowered positions, and are also configured totranslate laterally between extended and retracted positions relative tothe seat 200. The first and second independently moveable thigh supports202, 204 are also independent. Specifically, the first independentlymoveable thigh support 202 may be at the raised position, while thesecond independently moveable thigh support 204 may be at the loweredposition, or at any position in between the raised and loweredpositions. First and second seat side supports are adjacent to the firstand second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204, and helpcushion and provide support to the buttocks of a passenger.

The peripheral carrier support 250 also includes flexible supports inthe form of leg extension trim carriers 260. Each leg extension trimcarrier 260 provides support to the seat cushion assembly 244 at theforward thigh support cushions 251. The leg extension trim carriers 260allow for movement of each of the first and second independentlymoveable thigh supports 202, 204 between extended and retractedpositions, as well as between raised and lowered positions, as the firstand second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 move. The legextension trim carriers 260 can include a variety of constructions thatmay include apertures 259 or a generally solid construction. Theapertures 259 minimize the weight of the leg extension trim carriers260, and add to the overall flexibility of the leg extension trimcarriers 260. Regardless, the leg extension trim carriers 260 include abody portion having waved or sinusoidal-type construction defined byalternating ridges and grooves, thereby providing an articulated orcorrugated construction that allows for considerable flexibility as thefirst and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 areadjusted. As will be disclosed in further detail below, the first andsecond independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 include springassemblies 270 configured to urge each of the first and secondindependently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 to pivot to a fullyraised position, as well as spring assemblies configured to bias thefirst and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 to afully extended position.

With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the independent flexibleextension trim carriers 260 are configured to support the forward thighsupport cushions 251 and a portion of the coverstock 246 thereon. At thesame time, the leg extension trim carriers are configured to slideagainst the first and second independently moveable thigh supports 202,204, as the first and second independently moveable thigh supports 202,204 are articulated between raised and lowered positions and betweenretracted and extended positions. Accordingly, the leg extension trimcarriers 260 allow for a uniform and constant feel to the passenger asthe first and second independently moveable thigh supports 202, 204 areadjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, there are 10 flexible joints262 and undulations 261 that allow for movement of the leg extensiontrim carriers 260. However, it is contemplated that any number offlexible joints may be present and that any number of undulations 261may be present. Generally, a number of corrugations that results in alow profile, and does not substantially increase the overall surfacearea of engagement between the leg extension trim carrier 260 and theunderlying independent leg extension and thigh support should beconsidered.

Referring again to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-6,the support frame 52 of the vehicle seating assembly 10 is partiallyenclosed by the panel assembly 120. The carrier 51 is defined by apolymeric matrix. The cushion assembly 142 is molded over the carrier51. As previously noted, the external peripheral gap 152 is definedbetween the panel assembly 120 and the carrier 51. The carrier 51 andthe cushion assembly 142 are configured to flex under the weight of apassenger while the support frame 52 remains stationary. The airmovement assembly 243 is in communication with the cushion assembly 142and is configured to move air through the carrier 51 and the cushionassembly 142 proximate a seating surface of the cushion assembly 142.

With reference once again to FIGS. 1-6, the cushion assembly 142 isgenerally formed by a thin foam layer disposed on the plastic orpolymeric matrix of the carrier 51. The foam layer is mounted onto thepolymeric matrix or integrally formed therewith. The polymeric matrix ofthe carrier 51 is then mechanically interlocked via the connectingfeatures 83 disposed on the flex member 76 of the upper seatback 14. Itis generally contemplated that the polymeric matrix of the carrier 51 isformed from a polymeric material that is flexible and allows formovement and flexure as a user adjusts the vehicle seating assembly 10.The integral molding formation of the carrier 51 with the thin foamlayer results in a strong and durable, albeit flexible, support forpassengers in the vehicle. This construction results in the carrier 51providing a specific flexible matrix that allows an ideal amount ofdeflection of the seat bolsters and seatback bolsters in conjunctionwith the relative deflection of the thin foam. The patterns illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6 have been found to provide an ideal deflection of theseating surfaces under the weight of a user.

In addition to the carriers 51 and 240 being flexible, thereby allowingfor an ideal degree of deflection of the vehicle seating assembly 10,the carriers 51 and 240 also includes an ideal open volume of apertures242 such that the air movement assembly 243 that is in communicationwith the seatback cushion assembly 142 seat cushion assembly 244 canmove air through the carrier 51 and the cushion assembly 142. Themovement of the air can be drawing air through the cushion assembly 142,or blowing air through the cushion assembly 142.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a supportframe partially enclosed by a panel assembly; a carrier defined by aunitary polymeric matrix; a cushion assembly molded over the carrier,wherein an external peripheral gap is defined between the panel assemblyand the carrier, and wherein the carrier and the cushion assembly areconfigured to flex under the weight of a passenger while the supportframe remains stationary; and an air movement assembly in communicationwith the cushion assembly and configured to move air through the carrierand the cushion assembly proximate a seating surface of the cushionassembly.
 2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a coverstock extending over the cushion assembly andconfigured to allow movement of air therethrough.
 3. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a carrier support disposedbehind and mechanically interlocked with the carrier.
 4. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 3, wherein the carrier includes externalperipheral apertures configured to engage studs on the carrier support.5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: aheadrest disposed above the support frame.
 6. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes an upper thoracicregion and a lower lumbar region.
 7. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the upper thoracic region includes a recess at a topportion thereof.
 8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a frameassembly; a carrier including a unitary polymeric matrix; a cushionassembly molded over a front portion of the carrier such that a rearportion of the carrier is exposed; an external peripheral gap definedbetween the carrier and the cushion assembly; and an air movementassembly in communication with the cushion assembly through the carrierand configured to move air proximate a surface of the cushion assembly.9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising: acoverstock extending over the cushion assembly and configured to allowmovement of air therethrough.
 10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim8, further comprising: a carrier support disposed behind andmechanically interlocked with the carrier.
 11. The vehicle seatingassembly of claim 10, wherein the carrier includes external peripheralapertures configured to engage studs on the carrier support.
 12. Thevehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a headrestdisposed above the support frame.
 13. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the carrier includes an upper thoracic region and alower lumbar region.
 14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13,wherein the upper thoracic region includes a recess at a top portionthereof.
 15. A method for constructing a vehicle seating assemblycomprising: partially enclosing a rear portion of a support frame with apanel assembly; providing a carrier defined by a flexible polymericmatrix; forming a multitude of perforations through the carrier; moldinga cushion assembly over the carrier; forming an external peripheral gapbetween the panel assembly and the carrier; and moving air through thecarrier and the cushion assembly proximate a seating surface of thecushion assembly.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:extending a coverstock over the cushion assembly that is configured toallow movement of air therethrough.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: providing a carrier support disposed behind and mechanicallyinterlocked with the carrier.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: providing external peripheral apertures with the carrierthat are configured to engage studs on the carrier support.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: providing a headrest disposedabove the support frame.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:providing an upper thoracic region and a lower lumbar region with thecarrier.